Reverend Willie J. Stafford

Preacher was born on July 4, 1937, in Scottville, Texas to Allen Stafford and Bennie Ruffin. He was rooted and grounded in Christ as a child at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Marshall, TX.

He received his early education from Village Creek School and later enlisted in the Marines and served his country from 1955 till 1959. After an extensive career in the Military, he went to work at Pete Jones Furniture. In 1963, he started working at General Motors until he retired on February 1, 1993. After retirement, he gained employment at the Arlington Independent School District Bus Barn for 11 years till 2008.

His biblical education was received at Southern Bible Institute, where he graduated with a degree in Spiritual and Intellectual Attainment. He joined the Mount Olive Baptist Church in the mid 60’s where he served as a Deacon from 1974 till 1983. In 1984, he gained his Gospel Ministry license and on April 4, 1984, he preached his first sermon.

In 1963, he and his children, Debra Pointer and Willie Stafford Jr. met the love of their lives, Ms. Connie Christine Lipscomb. On December 30, 1964, the two joined in holy matrimony and with their union two more children were born, Eric and Rhonda.

On February 8, 2022, Preacher was called from labor to reward.

He leaves to cherish his memory; his wife, Connie Christine, his daughters, Paula (Josseph) Beatty, Debra (Weldon) Pointer, his sons, Eric, and Willie Jr., and his sisters, Frances, Shirley, Brenda (sister in-law), Ruby Stafford, and Dorothy (Dennis) Penny. 5 Grandchildren and 6 Great-Grandchildren.

He will be reunited in glory with his daughter, Rhonda, his parents, Allen Stafford and Bennie Ruffin, his brothers, Fred Stafford, Eddie Ruffin, and his sister Allie Jean Jordan.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gwspencerdirs.net for the Stafford family.